Volvo Buses’ new plug-in hybrids will hit the streets of Gothenburg, Sweden this month as part of a field test. The technology will facilitate a reduction in fuel consumption by 75% compared with current diesel buses.
The plug-in technology will facilitate the reduction of fuel consumption and carbon dioxide by 75% to 80%, compared with current diesel buses. The total energy consumption will be reduced by approximately 60%.
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“Västtrafik has high environmental targets. By 2025 95% of our traffic is to be carried out using non-fossil fuels and at the same time energy efficiency is to increase. Together with Volvo and several other partners, we have had the chance to develop a technology that significantly reduces both emissions and energy use, something which we are proud of,” said Lars Backström, managing director at Västtrafik, public transport company of Gothenburg.
“In recent years, sales of Volvo Buses’ hybrid buses have tripled for each year and we believe the market for electromobility will continue to expand rapidly. Accordingly, the Volvo Group is investing in this area, making it possible for cities to realise their visions of more eco-friendly and attractive transportation,” said Håkan Karlsson, president of Volvo Bus.
The purpose of the field test is to study and verify the anticipated reductions in energy consumption and emissions, as well as to compile information from drivers, passengers and surrounding residents about their views on the properties of the bus.
Volvo Buses expect to be able to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide by up to 90% by using biodiesel instead of standard, fossil diesel oil in the combustion engine.
The plug-in hybrids are based on Volvo Buses’ 7900 Hybrid. The plug-in hybrids have been further developed, and enable recharging from electricity grids via a collector installed on the roof. The plug-in buses have a larger battery package, making it possible to drive up to 70% of the distance, approximately seven kilometres at a time, quietly and free from emissions, using electricity. The batteries are charged at the bus terminus for between six and ten minutes.
Volvo Buses expects to commence commercial manufacturing of plug-in hybrids in a couple of years, and the technology is now to be tested in the three buses that will be put into service in Gothenburg. A demonstration project has also been planned for 2014 involving eight plug-in hybrids in Stockholm.
Should the operator have the need to put the bus in operation on a line with no charging stations, the plug-in hybrid will function exactly as current hybrid buses. In other words, the customer who wants to invest in the plug-in technology is able to do so without having access to a fully developed network of charging stations.
Volvo Buses participates in the plug-in-hybrid project in Gothenburg, in addition to Göteborg Energi, Business Region Göteborg, Trafikkontoret and Västtrafik. The project is partly financed by Life+, the EU’s financing programme for environmental projects.
The Volvo plug-in hybrid
- The bus is equipped with an electric motor which is powered by a lithium-ion battery. It also has a five-litre diesel engine.
- Charging is done from electricity grids via a collector installed on the roof of the bus. It takes 6-10 minutes.
- The bus will run approximately seven kilometres at a time on electricity only – silent and emission-free.
